Weekend news wrap up with Bob Mabena – 29 February 2016

March04, 2016

Here is a list of people who are holding our country to ransom: SARS Commissioner, Tom Moyane, President of the Republic, Mr. Jacob Zuma, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and SAA Chairperson Dudu Myeni. The Minister of finance would rather not have the head of SARS conduct a restructuring of the receiver. The president doesn’t want to publicly endorse the Finance Minister. As a matter of fact, President Zuma has publicly said that his comrade – the two minute Finance Minister was the most qualified he has ever hired. On the other hand, a state organ, The Hawks, have dispatched a list of questions to the Finance Minister and he refuses to be bulldozed. In his Budget Speech Pravin made a somewhat unprecedented announcement on the State Owned Enterprise SAA. This affects The Chairwoman Dudu Myeni, who is reportedly too close to the president. And then, there is Luthuli House – Uncle Gwede has shown unequivocal support to Pravin Gordan.

A few questions: Why is Luthuli House breaking rank? Why is Pravin trying to avoid the Hawks, why is the President being shady about his Finance Minister? Was he forced to pick Pravin last year after the Nene scandal, which knocked out the Rand? If the President didn’t pick Pravin, then who did? Who actually has the power to make the stubborn president change his mind on a post for which he has prerogative? And by the way, while all of this is happening, the international community and ratings agencies might have a reason to downgrade us even earlier than we had anticipated. Is this the beginning of the end for all these personalities and how will Joe Soap come out of it?

In closing; what the hell is the ANC doing fraternizing with Solidarity? This is the biggest WTF for the week and I hope that someone out there has answers.